Herat’s Fight Against Polio: No Child Can Enter the City Without Vaccination
Herat, Afghanistan – In response to increasing polio cases in southern Afghanistan, Herat province has taken serious measures to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus.
Eight vaccination teams have been deployed around the clock at the province’s terminals and entry points to vaccinate all children entering Herat or traveling from the province to other regions.
The primary goal of these measures is to prevent the transmission of the poliovirus to Herat and ensure the safety of children.
The Defensive Line Against the Poliovirus
Dr. Ahmad Wahid Rahmani, the official responsible for the National Vaccination Program under the Directorate of Public Health in the western zone, likens the deployed polio vaccination teams to a ‘defensive line.’
“No child can enter Herat without being vaccinated. Our goal is to protect this province from the threat of the poliovirus,” he states.
According to Dr. Rahmani, Herat and other provinces in the western region, such as Badghis, Farah, and Ghor, have remained free of the poliovirus for the past three years. Even environmental samples of the virus have not been detected in these provinces. However, the rise in polio cases in the southern provinces has compelled Herat to strengthen its defensive measures.
Dr. Ahmad Wahid Rahmani, the official responsible for the National Vaccination Program under the Directorate of Public Health in the western zone, says, “No child can enter Herat without being vaccinated. Our goal is to protect this province from the threat of the poliovirus.” © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/Marzia Frotan
The Struggle Against Challenges and Obstacles
The vaccination teams stationed at Herat’s terminals and entry points also face certain challenges.
Nazeer Ahmad, a member of one such team, explains: “Some families refuse to vaccinate their children, but we give them awareness about the harms of polio and the importance of vaccination and persuade them to vaccinate their children.”
Referring to the refusals from families, he adds that vaccinators, with patience and dedication, have helped resolve such issues effectively.
He also mentioned that no suspected polio cases have been reported at Herat’s entry points in recent months. Six months ago, a suspected case was reported, but fortunately, the child did not have polio.
A Traveler’s Tale from Helmand
Gul Ahmad is one of the travelers who arrived in Herat with his family from Helmand.
He has three children under the age of five, all of whom were vaccinated against polio by the vaccination teams at Herat’s entry points.
He praised the initiative and stated, “Although I have vaccinated my children in every polio campaign, I still worry that unvaccinated children in our neighborhood could transmit the virus to mine.”
He believes vaccinating children during travel is an effective step to prevent the spread of the poliovirus.
Gul Ahmad also urged the government to make vaccination mandatory: “Due to ignorance and false beliefs, some families put their children’s and others’ lives at risk. Vaccination should be compulsory for everyone.”
The vaccination teams stationed at Herat’s entry points play a key role in preventing the transmission of the poliovirus. © Polio Free Afghanistan/2024/Marzia Frotan
The Importance of Vaccination at Entry Points
In 2024, the rise of polio cases in some provinces, particularly Kandahar and Helmand, has sparked serious concerns about the potential spread of the virus to other regions.
The vaccination teams stationed at Herat’s entry points play a key role in preventing the transmission of the poliovirus.
These stringent measures highlight the significance of vaccination and prevention. Any unvaccinated child can become a critical link in the chain of poliovirus transmission.
Collaboration from families, widespread public awareness, and the continuous efforts of vaccination teams are essential tools for protecting children’s health and eradicating polio in Afghanistan.
Marzia Frotan, Polio Free Afghanistan
